Cocktails With A View in London

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By Scarlett Welch Editor, DesignMyNight Scarlett has covered the UK's best restaurants, bars and events for DesignMyNight since 2023. She holds an MA in Media & Journalism, with bylines in The Crack magazine and South London News, among others. Last updated on 19th June 2026

Expertly mixed, hand crafted and boasting some of the best views in the business? Now, that may seem like a big ask from any other city, but the noble bars of London have found the best rooftop and natural beauty spots in all of the capital. Whether it’s soaring above the city skyline or watching the Thames majestically flow on, we've whittled down some of the best places in London to drink cocktails with a view.




Miradora Rooftop Restaurant Tequileria

One of the best cocktail spots in Central London, Miradora Rooftop Restaurant Tequileria is perched high above Charing Cross Road. It offers one of the very best views around, looking out over the West End and beyond from its sun-soaked terrace.

Enjoy a vast selection of cocktails with a focus on tequila, with favourites including the mezcal Mist or a Ruby Sunrise made with Chambord and raspberry. If you're hungry, try out the Mexican-inspired menu of Yucatan pork belly, beef short rib quesadillas, marinated salmon and more.

Sonny's Riverside

Sunset Margarita Hour and 1 other offer

Right on the banks of Thames in Kingston, Sonny's Riverside serves up sensational views of the water with its creative cocktails. With a beautiful terrace and rooftop bar, it's perfect for sundowner drinks or soaking up some sun with a signature serve.

Whatever your tastes, there's a signature serve to suit. We're talking house favourites like the Peach Iced Tea and Gingerbread Sour, plus frozen margaritas and all kinds of spritz.

Nancy's

Want to sip on something special with sensational views across the city? Get on over to Nancy's. 

Inspired by Borough Market and the makers that surround it, this place pours magnificent market-to-glass cocktails from its home near London Bridge. Perfect for Golden Hour cocktails and wild nights up on the rooftop, its regular roster of top notch DJs are sure to keep you entertained too.

Bar Arriba

Head up to Bar Arriba for a taste of Mexico with views across the capital. This bright and buzzing rooftop spot in the heart of west London serves up delicious dishes and all kinds of refreshing tipples.

We're talking crisp wines, ice cold beers and casa cocktails. The signature serves here are designed to bring the heat - we're talking Arriba spicy margaritas, Jalisco old fashioneds and classic palomas.

1864 Rooftop Bar & Kitchen

Located on the 6th floor of John Lewis Oxford Circus is a gorgeous garden fronting red and white pinstripe furnishings, private wooden booths and elegant trees. 1864 Rooftop Bar is the perfect hideaway for when you're done with the shops and are keen on tucking into light bites, like chorizo croquetas topped with shaved manchego, plus signature sips. The Gypsy Martini, made using Martin Millers infused with raisin and rosemary is a stand-out.

The Cocktail Club Canary Wharf

Sitting snugly on 9 Cabot Square, The Cocktail Club's 17th location in Canary Wharf has space for 200 cocktail enthusiasts and is decked out in fancy golds and pinks, along with plenty of fresh plants and funky wall art. They're shaking up some seriously quirky cocktails, like the gin-packed Southside Royal, garnished with a golden butterfly, or you could go old school with a classic Espresso Martini, complete with an Oreo cookie on top. And the best part? This hotspot boasts stunning views to match.

Aviary

Located atop the Montcalm hotel in Finsbury Square, Aviary Rooftop Bar & Restaurant is a swanky and stylish cocktail bar and restaurant from the renowned ETM group. Head up for incredible views and sleek seating, perfect for a lazy summer's evening, or come winter, snuggling inside or in their igloos. The cocktail menu will have a range of classics and should you feel peckish, there's a delicious British menu to choose from.

Madison

You're guaranteed stunning views and fabulous drinks at Madison, especially when you visit on a Sunday for their Sundown Sessions which sees resident DJs play tunes until the sun sets over the city. Up on its rooftop, you'll be on eye-level with the famous St Paul's Cathedral and tempted by many an Aperol spritz, as well as signature sips like the melon shrub and banana liqueur-based Pisco Tropical. 

Battersea Barge

Perched on the river, Battersea Barge is a cool bar that fronts steel interiors and great views looking out across South London. If you're looking for sips in the sun, this venue is for you - it accommodates walk-ins but it's definitely worth booking your table in advance. The unique venue whips up freshly made pizzas topped with 'nduja and honey, as well as serving wine, beer and classic cocktails like cosmopolitan and Moscow mules. 

Stanley's

Stanley's at The Chesterfield Mayfair can never be accused of taking its rooftop spot for granted. The Savour & Sip menu has been thoughtfully crafted to complement the Mayfair skyline.

To wet your whistle, there's all kinds of seasonal spritzes and signature cocktails. If you need some sustenance along the way, light bites of sirloin steak, lobster and chargrilled chicken satay are just an order away.

Eighteen Sky Bar

Sat 18 floors above the Thames, Eighteen Sky Bar is a gorgeous cocktail bar right by The O2. Their floor-to-ceiling windows look out over Canary Wharf and London's beautiful skyline, especially lovely at sunset.

There's also an open-air terrace to explore, and there are regular DJ sets here too. Their innovative cocktails include a Berry Pop or the Forbidden Fruit, paired with small plates like British charcuterie boards and crispy fried sushi rice.

QIBO

High above Canary Wharf, Qibo is London's latest super sophisticated bar in the sky. With views across the capital, it serves up classic cocktails, signature concoctions and all kinds of fine fizz for groups of 13 or more.

Thanks to its floor to ceiling windows and an elegant central bar, you can drink in the capital's skyline in total comfort. Outside, its two rooftop terraces are perfect for sipping in the sun.

The Lighterman

Boasting a wrap-around terrace perched on the edge of the canal in King's Cross, The Lighterman is a fabulous drinking destination and restaurant that serves flatbreads topped with Atlantic shrimp and harissa, plus international plates like wagyu burgers. You'll undoubtedly be able to catch a sunset here, as well as overlook all the shoppers making their way through Coal Drops Yard while you have a Paloma spritz in hand.

The Vault 1894

A cool, historic bar right next to Tower Bridge, The Vault 1894 offers amazing views over the Thames and of several iconic London landmarks. Expect quirky, rustic features throughout and five-foot high ceilings, reflecting the average height of Londoners when it was built.

Sip two-for-one cocktails during their happy hour, ranging from Long Island Iced Tea to margaritas and espresso martinis. Hungry? They also serve classic pub fare like fish and chips or a range of hearty burgers.

Peggy Jean

Sun, Sips & 25% Off Cocktails This Summer!

Peggy Jean in Richmond is the perfect destination for cocktails with a view in London. Set aboard a stunning boat on the River Thames, Peggy Jean offers three decks, each providing breathtaking views of the scenic waters.

Whether you're sipping a Very Cherry cocktail or enjoying the fresh air on the top deck, this spot provides the perfect setting for a relaxing drink with a view. The ambience is unbeatable, offering both romance and tranquillity, making it the ideal place for a cocktail experience in London.

Bondi Green

Sun, Sips & 25% Off Cocktails This Summer!

Bondi Green's suntrap terrace is the perfect spot for cocktail sipping with views across the water. Right on the lively Regent's Canal footpath, there's some prime people-watching to go with your pornstar martini.

As well as the classics, there's a long list of seasonal serves, from the Hibiscus Pop to the Hot Aussie Coffee. Need something to nibble? Tuck into small plates, woodfired pizzas and all kinds of flame grilled creations.

Bread Street Kitchen At 22 Bishopsgate

Perched on the 59th floor of 22 Bishopsgate, Bread Street Kitchen is Gordon Ramsay's all-day bar and restaurant that boasts unbeatable views. Towering over the city, this stylish destination flaunts floor-to-ceiling windows, minimal but sophisticated decor and a lively atmopshere come the evenings.

They serve a wide range of cocktails, both classic and signature, starting from as little as £14. Sip on a jasmine mojito or the hibiscus negroni, while admiring the capital from above. Hungry? The menu ranges from beef Wellington to chickpea tikka masala or the beloved Idiot Sandwich.